NATO ships deploy to Black Sea for training

NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) arrived in the Black Sea on Wednesday (4 March 2015) to train with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish Navies. This training will include simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, as well as simulated small boat attacks and basic ship handling manoeuvres.

“The training and exercises we will conduct with our Allies in the Black Sea prepares us to undertake any mission NATO might require to meet its obligations for collective defence,” said US Rear Adm. Brad Williamson, who currently commands SNMG2. The group is currently made up of the flagship USS Vicksburg (from the United States), HMCS Fredericton (from Canada), TCG Turgutreis (from Turkey), FGS Spessart (from Germany), ITS Aliseo (from Italy), and ROS Regina Maria (from Romania). This potent NATO maritime force possesses substantial sea-control, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.

The deployment of SNMG2 into the Black Sea is conducted in full compliance with international conventions as a scheduled visit in support of training as well as the assurance of Black Sea Allies. The group will return to the Mediterranean later this month to resume patrols contributing to maritime situational awareness in the region.